Originally Posted by
labbats
This is true and the work is tough but they also get a hefty daily rate on top of their hourly when they own their own rig. It's a lot of money.
No welders on W2 payroll are making $100/hr. Even union ones. That's >$200k a year. Nope not happening.
Yes, if they own their own rigs, they might be bringing that in. Or more. But it's running a business. One guy I know spends $750 a week on average in diesel fuel alone. Not to mention consumables (been to Airgas recently?).
If you operated a 400 series Cessna on charter, with a rate of $600/hr, are you making $600/hr? Of course not. Same exact thing.